1. PS 166 - Parent Workshop ELA Testing Workshop
2/25/2015
PS Parent Workshop
ELA Testing Workshop
February 8, 2017

2. Overview
Elementary and middle school students in New York State take yearly state tests in core academic subjects to assess their mastery of the Common Core Learning Standards.
State English Language Arts Test will be administered on:
Wednesday, April 11th
Thursday, April 12th
State Mathematics Test will be administered on:
Tuesday, May 1st
Wednesday, May 2nd

3. NYS ELA Question Breakdown
Grades
Day 1
Day 2
3 - 4
4 Passages
24 multiple choice
3 Passages
6 short response
1 extended response 5
5 Passages
35 multiple choice

4. ELA Question Format Multiple-Choice Questions Short-Response Questions
Assess Common Core Reading and Language Standards. These types of questions require students to analyze different aspects of a given text including central idea, style elements, character and plot development, and vocabulary. Almost all questions, including vocabulary questions, will only be answered correctly if the student comprehends and makes use of the whole passage.
Short-Response Questions
These are single questions in which students use textual evidence to support their own answers to an inferential question. These questions ask the student to make an inference (a claim, position, or conclusion) based on his or her analysis of the passage, and then provide two pieces of text- based evidence to support his or her answer.
Extended-Response Questions
Writing from Sources: They require comprehension and analysis of an individual text. Many extended-response questions ask students to express a position and support it with text-based details.
- Paired texts (4th and 5th Grade) require students to read and analyze two related texts. They are related by theme, genre, tone, time period, or other characteristics.

5. 2 - Point Short Response Rubric
Score
Response Features
2 Points
The features of a 2-point response are:
Valid inferences and/or claims from the text where required by the prompt
Evidence of analysis of the text where required by the prompt
Relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, and/or other information from the text to develop response according to the requirements of the prompt
Sufficient number of facts, definitions, concrete details, and/or other information from the text as required by the prompt
Complete sentences where errors do not impact readability
1 Point
The features of a 1-point response are:
A mostly literal recounting of events or details from the text as required by the prompt
Some relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, and/or other information from the text to develop response according to the requirement of the prompt
Incomplete sentences or bullets
0 Points
The features of a 0-point response are:
A response that does not address any of the requirements of the prompt or is totally inaccurate
A response that is not written in English
A response that is unintelligible or indecipherable
If the prompt requires two texts and the student only references one text, the response can be scored no higher than a 1.

6. Student Response 1

7. Short Response Score

8. Student Response 2

9. Short Response Score

10. Student Response 3

11. Short Response Score

12. Sample Extended Response Question -Third Grade

13. Sample Extended Response Question -Fourth Grade

14. Sample Extended Response Question -Fifth Grade

15. Testing Habits Read the directions carefully to avoid careless errors
Review and make sure that:
You have answered all the questions
All marks are clean with only one answer on multiple choice
You have checked for mistakes
Proofread spelling, grammar, and punctuation
Clear handwriting

16. How to Help Your Child for the ELA Test
READ! READ! READ! (stamina)
Read non-fiction books aloud or with your child
Model reading non-fiction including newspaper articles, and magazines
Discuss non-fiction texts and their ideas
Know what is grade-level appropriate and know your child’s reading level
Read challenging books with your child and talk about texts
Encourage writing at home (letters, for a variety of purposes)
Read often and constantly with young children
Read multiple books on the same topic to understand the meanings of new content-specific words

17. Preparing for Successful Test Days
Keep a good attitude!
Make sure your child gets plenty of rest
Provide a high-quality breakfast
Be positive, be sure to point out all the things they do well
Be patient and prepare to listen to your child’s concerns
If they find themselves anxious, remind them to take several slow, deep breaths to relax
Remind them they are well prepared and going to do amazingly well

18. Check out the Engage NY Website for helpful information:
For More Information...
Check out the Engage NY Website for helpful information:
questions